Two Adventurers, 500 Miles of Heritage, One Great Erie Canal, One Scenic Hudson River

Published: 04/01/2012

River: British Expeditioner and Photographer Kayak across New York
State

May 1 to May 21, 2012*

Albany, NY (April 2012) -This May, the legacy of New York State's Erie Canal and Hudson River
will lure adventurers Richard Harpham and Glenn Charles to kayak an epic 500
miles from Buffalo's Historic Erie Canal Harbor on May 1, 2012 to the Statue of
Liberty at the end of the month.

New York State's Division of Tourism, I LOVE NEW
YORK, invited world-renowned kayaker, Richard Harpham, from the U.K. to make
history while chronicling the dynamic locations along the Erie Canal and its 35
locks, before reaching Albany and joining the Hudson River. The trip continues south on the Hudson River to their iconic final
destination -- the Statue of Liberty.

The
journey is called ‘New York State's Spare Seat Kayak Expedition' as both Harpham and Charles
will kayak the route in double seated kayaks, inviting members of the public
and media to join them along the way. The expedition
is estimated to take about a month and will highlight the heritage, culture,
wildlife, landmarks, and activities along the route. As passionate
conservationists, Harpham and Charles will encourage locals and
visitors to get involved in New York State's preservation and ecological
activities. The project will be photographed and filmed, and hosted on a
dedicated website with social media feeds enabling the public to follow
Harpham, Charles and all those that join them every stroke of the way.

"The opening of the Erie Canal in 1825 was one of the most
spectacular and transformative public works projects of its time, and would
make New York the Empire State," said Brian U. Stratton, Director of the New
York State Canal Corporation. "On behalf of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New
York State Canal Corporation, I welcome Richard Harpham and look forward to
paddling with him on a segment of the Spare Seat Tour."

"By bringing in a world-class
kayaker and adventure photographer to explore New York State's Erie Canal and
Hudson River, we can to showcase New York State's assets in an extraordinary
way," said Edward Maitino, managing director, tourism for Empire State
Development of New York State. "The Spare Seat Kayak Expedition also shines a
spotlight on the more than 230 communities that span the Erie Canal and upstate
New York."

"New York's waterways have always connected our communities but they are
also the common threads that connect us to our rich history," said Mark
Castiglione, acting Director for the Hudson River Valley Greenway. "Today, our historic waterways are renowned
destinations for recreation and eco-tourism.
We are excited that this initiative will highlight the Hudson River
Greenway Water Trail and promote all the historic river towns and heritage
destinations throughout the Hudson River Valley."

The Erie Canal
was originally built as a major commercial waterway which shaped the
development of the Empire State and secured New York City's status as America's
premier seaport, commercial center and gateway to the interior of the
continent. The Hudson River was also strategically important as a gateway to
the American interior. Together they tell the story of the expansion of America
and the growth of trade in North America. Today, in addition to continuing to
attract commercial use, the Erie Canal is a recreational resource and tourism
destination, while the Hudson River offers environmental and conservation
experiences as well as historic, cultural and recreational opportunities for
enjoyment.

"Richard and Glen will be
travelling much of the same route as Governor Dewitt Clinton in 1825, when he
journeyed from Buffalo to Albany to New York City via the newly opened Erie
Canal and the Hudson River. The Spare Seat Voyage will demonstrate how the
canal that created the Empire State nearly 200 years ago now offers world-class
recreational opportunities," said Beth Sciumeca, Executive Director of the Erie
Canalway National Heritage Corridor.

Residents and
visitors are encouraged to cheer on the expeditioners and take advantage of the
many events taking place along the route.
Harpham and Charles will meet the communities, host talks, coach about
kayaking and attend community generated events to promote local efforts to
enjoy and protect New York state waterways. Experience the rich history, hometown
hospitality, and numerous attractions of the Erie Canalway National Heritage
Corridor and Hudson River Valley Greenway. To explore and experience the Erie Canal or
the Hudson River visit: http://www.eriecanalway.org/ , http://www.hudsongreenway.ny.gov, or
http://www.canals.ny.gov. For information on the NYS
Canalway Water Trail visit: http://www.canals.ny.gov/maps/canalwaytrailtext.cgi.

*Travel dates
are subject to change and will be determined by weather and manpower.

# # #

About New York
State

New York State
features 11 beautiful vacation regions. New York's attractions span from
landmarks such as Niagara Falls, to the wine trails of Hudson Valley and
treasures like the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. Whether it's
wide-ranging outdoor activities for the whole family like fishing, hiking and
boating, culinary wonders and farm-to-table fresh foods, or the rich history
and culture of one of the 13 original colonies, New York State offers diverse
activities for all travelers. For more information, visit http://www.iloveny.com. Media can
find press releases and more at thebeat.iloveny.com.

About the Erie
Canalway National Heritage Corridor
The Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor spans 524 miles across the
full expanse of upstate New York, encompassing the Erie, Cayuga-Seneca, Oswego,
and Champlain canals and their historic alignments, as well as more than 230
canal communities. The Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor Commission,
in partnership with the National Park Service, collaborates with government
agencies, communities and organizations to protect and promote the canal
corridor for all to use and enjoy. www.eriecanalway.org

About New York State Canal Corporation

The New York State Canal System is comprised of
four historic waterways - the Erie, Champlain, Oswego and Cayuga & Seneca
Canals - spanning 524 miles across New York State. The Canal Corporation is the
proud steward of this iconic system - a legacy that was born almost 200 years
ago - dedicated to preserving the tradition of navigation, promoting the
tourism and recreational opportunities and shepherding the resurgence of
development in the historic communities the Canals helped to form. For more
information regarding events, recreation and vacation opportunities along the
Canal system, please visit www.canals.ny.gov or call 1-800-4CANAL4.

About Hudson River Valley Greenway

The Hudson River Valley Greenway is a unique state-sponsored program
established by the Greenway Act of 1991. Presently, 269 out of the 325
eligible municipalities within the Greenway area have joined the Greenway and
over 740 miles of trail have been designated as part of the Greenway Trail
System. The Greenway program is designed to encourage communities to
develop projects and initiatives related to the criteria of natural and
cultural resource protection, regional and local planning, economic development,
public access to the Hudson River (as well as other regional and local
resources), and heritage and environmental education. It provides
technical assistance and small grants for planning, water trail and land-based
trails and other projects that reinforce the Greenway Criteria. In
keeping with the New York tradition of home rule, the Greenway program has no
regulatory authority and participation of municipalities in Greenway programs
and projects is entirely voluntary. The Greenway also manages the Hudson River
Valley National Heritage Area, please visit www.hudsongreenway.ny.gov for more information.

Reach out to your local print, broadcast (TV and radio) and online
media to support this initiative and invite them to come cover the events
taking place in your community and/or interview Richard and Glenn.